Sally Thorne is back this summer with an enjoyable new rom-com read. Second First Impressions introduces us to an old soul named Ruthie. She’s comfortable living alone on the site of her job, which just so happens to be a retirement community, so ya know, she fits right in with the old ladies.

Ruthie does a good deed for a motorcyclist who lost his wallet. After paying for his gas, Teddy insults Ruthie by saying her Golden Girls costume is great. That’s just how she dresses and it hurts her. Shortly after this run-in, Teddy shows up at her place of work, because turns out, he’s the boss’ son and in need of a little job… with her.

I think my favorite part of the book is not the main couple at all. It’s the two women Teddy works for on the property. They put Teddy (and their other “boys” aka assistants) through ridiculous challenges and chores. I will spare you the details so you can revel in the delightful torture they bestow upon them. Those two women have a special arc themselves amid Ruthie and Teddy getting to know each other and fall in love.

While I enjoyed the book, it still had it’s issues. Maybe it’s just me, but I’m kinda tired of the trope where all religious people are frumpy grandmas. It’s far from reality and getting old. I also thought this handled religious trauma in a very flippant way. It lacked the substance to effectively handle something so complex. Trauma isn’t something to throw into a story to make a character more interesting.

Ok, getting off my soap box now.

I normally love Sally Thorne‘s novels but Second First Impressions just wasn’t to level it could be. I give it three stars for being a flawed but still enjoyable read.